WO1997007735A1

WO1997007735A1 - A maneuverable electrophysiology catheter for percutaneous or intraoperative ablation of cardiac arrhythmias

Info

Publication number: WO1997007735A1
Application number: PCT/US1996/013396
Authority: WO
Inventors: Massoud Motamedi; David L. Ware
Original assignee: Board Of Regents, The University Of Texas System
Priority date: 1995-08-22
Filing date: 1996-08-19
Publication date: 1997-03-06
Also published as: AU6850396A; EP0957758A4; US6736808B1; CN1193267A; IL123350A0; ATE261699T1; EP0957758B1; DE69631909T2; EP0957758A1; JPH11511999A; US6143019A; AU737479B2; US5824005A; DE69631909D1; CA2229806A1

Abstract

A catheter (22) capable of both sensing myocardial electrical activity and delivering ablating energy within myocardial tissue, is disclosed. The catheter (22) comprises electrodes (38, 39) on the outer sheath and contains a movable fiber optic cable (42) that can be percutaneously advanced beyond the catheter body (22), and into the myocardium for myocardial heating and coagulation, or modification of tissues responsible for cardiac arrhythmias. The fiber optic tip (42) is designed to diffuse ablating energy radially to ablate a larger volume of tissue than is possible with a bare fiber optic tip. In addition, the tip is treated so that energy is not propagated in a forward direction, thus helping to prevent unwanted perforation of the heart tissue. Also disclosed is a method of cardio-protection from ischemia comprising inducing local hyperthermia in heart tissue.

Description

DESCRIPTION

A MANEUVERABLE ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY CATHETER

FOR PERCUTANEOUS OR INTRAOPERATIVE

ABLATION OF CARDIAC ARRHYTHMIAS

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of medical apparatus and instrumentation and more particularly to the field of non-pharmacologic treatment of cardiac disorders including arrhythmias and ischemias, including percutaneous treatment, with specific application to the ablation or modification of tissues responsible for the arrhythmia, and for protection of ischemia reperfusion injury by application of local hyperthermal treatment.

2. Description of the Related Art

Cardiac arrhythmias arise when the rhythmic electrical signal from the heart's intrinsic pacemakers is not correctly propagated throughout the heart. A particular type of cardiac arrhythmia is a ventricular tachycardia, in which an ectopic focus occurs in the ventricle ofthe heart resulting in a heartbeat of over 100 beats per minute. This problem often occurs near a site of damaged myocardial tissue caused by an infarction or other injury.

Heating and thus coagulating ("ablating") myocardial tissues responsible for cardiac arrhythmias has been shown to be of great therapeutic value and is frequently done percutaneously ("catheter ablation"). By far the most common method involves delivering radiofrequency energy (RF) via a catheter with a flexible tip equipped with electrodes for sensing ("mapping") the endocardial electrical activation sequence, and for delivering RF energy or laser energy (see Svenson et al, US Patent 5,172,699). The arrhythmias which respond best to this therapy (with a >90% cure rate) are supraventri cular. This is due (1) to well-defined mapping criteria highly predictive of cure and (2) to the small volume of tissue which, when ablated, prevents recurrent arrhythmia. Thus only few, or sometimes one, relatively superficial but well targeted, RF-induced lesion(s) may be necessary for success.

This same approach has been far less successful in treating the ventricular arrhythmias typically originating from tissues damaged by myocardial infarction. RF catheter ablation can be recommended only as adjunctive (not "first line") therapy for these arrhythmias. Reasons for this, again, are (1) mapping criteria which are not as clearly correlated with success as in the case of supraventricular arrhythmias and (2) larger tissue volume responsible for the arrhythmia.

An attempt to address the problem of ventricular arrhythmias is described by Isner and Clarke, US Patent 5,104,393, which discloses a catheter for ablation of cardiac tissue. The instrument tip is held in place in the endocardium by a fixation wire, with the ablation tip held on the endocardial wall, and thus, the tip does not directly reach deep intramyocardial tissue where arrhythmias may arise. Other present methods are similarly inadequate for ablating such deep tissue, precluding percutaneous treatment for many patients.

In recent years there has been significant interest in generating elevated levels of heat shock proteins (HSP's) in the heart and examining their cardioprotective abilities. These efforts have led to the development of experimental protocols in which different stresses such as hypoxia, mechanical strain , hemodynamic overload and hypothermia have been used to express HSP's (especially the HSP70 family) and examine the subsequent protection to the heart from ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury.

Previous work in various in-vitro and in vivo animal models has shown that hyperthermia-induced expression of HSP's is accompanied by protection against ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury ofthe heart (Marber et al. 1993; Donnely et al. 1992; Yellon et al. 1992; Walker et al. 1993; Currie et al. 1993). This protection has not only been shown to be related to HSP expression but also directly correlated to the amount of HSP induced before I/R (Hutter et al. 1994). Additionally, expression of HSP's as a result of heat shock response has been shown to improve functional recovery after ischemia and reperfusion (Currie et al. 1988).

In previous hyperthermia studies HSP expression was achieved by either heating the buffer solutions of in vitro isolated hearts or by subjecting animals to whole body hyperthermia 24 hours before I/R. However, whole body heat stress may exert negative effects on extracardiac cells such as blood cells, as the observed duration of cardioprotection in animals treated with whole body hyperthermia in vivo is less than cardioprotection of hearts heat shocked during isolated buffer perfusion in vitro. Walker et al. demonstrated these extracardiac effects in experiments in which buffer perfused hearts and blood (non-heat shock) perfused hearts of animals subjected to whole body hyperthermia were able to withstand longer periods of ischemia than animals subjected to whole body hyperthermia whose hearts were still perfused by the heat shocked blood components.

Their is a need therefore for a method of directly heating the heart and inducing regional HSP expression, thus avoiding limitations that may be induced during whole body hyperthermia.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention addresses the problems described above by (1) delivering laser light or other ablating energy intramyocardially, and (2) diffusing the ablating energy over a broad area in the myocardium without causing excess heat on the endocardial surface or in the blood pool. Mapping ofthe site ofthe arrhythmia is made possible by electrodes provided on the catheter sheath that may be switchably connected to a physiological recorder. In a particular embodiment, mapping electrodes may be provided on the retractable tip, in order to more precisely define the area of myocardium in which the arrhythmia arises. The catheter is controllably flexible for placing the electrodes in the correct position for contacting and treating the desired area.

The present invention thus provides instruments and methods for percutaneous catheter ablation of larger myocardial lesions than have previously been possible, by the intramyocardial delivery of diffused laser light, or other ablating energy, thus enhancing the potential for cure of ventricular arrhythmias, for example. Patients may therefore not require pharmacological or surgical therapy, reducing the morbidity and expense of therapy.

The invention, in certain aspects, may be described as an apparatus for endocardial insertion comprising a catheter adapted to access the cardiovascular system. An energy transmitting conductor extends along and within the catheter and has a tip which is extensible beyond the distal end ofthe catheter and also retractable within the catheter. The conductor may be a conductor for electrical current, ultrasound, microwave, an optical wave guide such as a wave guide for coherent light or a conduit for liquid and most preferably comprises an optical fiber.

The tip ofthe conductor is configured to penetrate cardiac tissue (i.e. through the endocardium and into the myocardial tissue) and to direct energy from and radially and/or axially relative to the conductor when the conductor is extended beyond the distal end ofthe catheter and into the myocardial tissue. The tip may form a pointed end, in order to more easily penetrate the endocardium, or the tip may form a flat end, a flat elliptical end or other appropriate configuration. Exemplary tips are described in US Patent 5,253,312, or US Patent 5,269,777 incorporated herein by reference. A preferred tip is the diffusing laser tip available from Rare Earth Medical Lasers Inc., Dennis, MA. The end of the tip may also be coated or coupled with an energy or light reflecting or deflecting material in order to prevent forward propagation ofthe ablating energy. This feature increases the safety ofthe present invention by helping to prevent unwanted perforation of cardiac tissue.

The apparatus may also have one or more electrodes positioned near the distal end ofthe catheter and may preferably have an electrode pair positioned at the distal end ofthe catheter to be used to accurately map the arrhythmia. Alternatively, the apparatus may even provide one or more electrodes positioned on the retractable tip for interstitial mapping. Additional electrodes may be positioned on a probe that may be advanced from the end ofthe catheter into the tissue for recording intramyocardial electrical activity. It is understood that the conductor for the mapping electrodes is preferably incorporated into the sheath ofthe catheter. However, in those embodiments in which a mapping probe is extensible beyond the catheter sheath, a conductor may pass through the lumen ofthe catheter in addition to the conductor of ablating energy. Apparatus and methods for stimulating, pacing, and endocardial mapping of arrhythmias are well known in the art, and they are not, in and of themselves, considered to constitute the present invention. The overall apparatus will preferably include a physiological recorder switchably connected to at least one of the electrodes operable to map local cardiac electrical activity and may further comprise an electrical stimulating device switchably connected to at least one ofthe electrodes operable to pace or otherwise stimulate the heart tissue. The pacing electrodes may be used to induce or to terminate arrhythmias during the procedure. The apparatus may further comprise a stabilizer, or stabilizing device to help prevent unwanted penetration of heart tissue. The stabilizer is exemplified by, but is not limited to, an inflatable, doughnut-shaped balloon that expands radially and may expand distally relative to the catheter. The stabilizer may be positioned on the outer surface ofthe catheter to stabilize the catheter within a body organ or cavity. Other stabilizers may include, but are not limited to disk or basket shaped extensions which are attached to the catheter's distal tip.

The present invention may also be described as a maneuverable catheter for ablation of cardiac tissue, where the catheter has a retractable tip, and the tip is extendible into the myocardium tissue for lateral diffusion of ablating energy into the intramyocardial tissue. The ablating energy may be provided in the form of laser energy, radiofrequency energy, microwave, ultrasound or a medium such as hot water, and is preferably 400 to 3,000 nm wavelength laser energy.

A certain aspect ofthe present invention resides in a method of treating cardiac arrhythmia which comprises the steps of positioning the distal end of an apparatus as described above on the endocardium, identifying the tissue involved in the arrhythmia, extending the distal end ofthe conductor past the distal end ofthe catheter and into the tissue, and transmitting ablating energy through the conductor into the tissue. In the practice of this method, the conductor may be a waveguide and the ablating energy may be laser energy. The distal end ofthe waveguide preferably comprises a penetrating tip and means for distributing laser energy into the selected tissue in a desired pattern, which may be a uniform distribution extending radially from the waveguide.

In certain embodiments, the present invention may be described as a method for promoting myocardial revascularization, through a process called angiogenesis. In the preferred method of practicing this embodiment, the tissues are heated to about 40°C by introducing the catheter tip into the myocardium which has been previously identified as being underperfused with blood (i.e., ischemic). The procedure would be performed in a manner similar to that described for the treatment of arrhythmias, except in most cases it would be performed mtraoperatively and involve a larger volume of tissue.

As shown herein, the protective effect of local hyperthermia may be due to the induction of heat shock proteins. Since heat shock proteins (HSP) are a non-specific response to injury, it is contemplated that other mechanical, thermal, optical, electrical and photochemical means may be used to induce HSP locally in the heart.

Therefore any device that may deliver any of such types of energy to the area ofthe heart may be used to induce local injury in the heart tissue thus elevating HSP and other substances that could have protective effects. However, it is contemplated that local irradiation and/or heating may provide a the safest and most preferred approach to local elevation of HSP in the heart. Local temperature elevation in myocardial tissue can be realized by heating from the epicardial surface, endocardial surface, interstitial heating or a combination of these modalities.

In the practice ofthe method, devices emitting laser, ultrasound, microwave, radiofrequency or conductive heat as from a hot tip may be used to heat the heart tissue. These devices may, by way of example only, be placed in a blood vessel, they may be introduced through a natural opening such as an esophagus to irradiate and/or heat the heart via radiative or conductive heating with or without simultaneous cooling or by opening a small port between the ribs and performing laparoscopy for treatment of patients with chronic ischemic heart, for example. Such treatment may be administered as a single application, or every 2 to 3 days for a period of time necessary to have a beneficial effect as determined by the practitioner. Such treatments may be administered for protection of transplant, bypass or other patients, including for example patients receiving transplanted organs other than a heart such as a kidney, for example.

An embodiment ofthe present invention is also the use of interstitial illumination in combination with light activated substances that may induce heat shock protein and/or promote the growth factors. Optical and ultrasound energy may be introduced to activate exogenous substances that have been administered such as those known in the art to be effective in photodynamic therapy. It is contemplated that such use may induce a protective response in myocardial tissue as described herein.

As used herein, "ablate" means to thermally coagulate and/or remove the tissues where arrhythmias originate or through which arrhythmias are sustained, and in a more general sense, ablation means the desiccation of tissue by the application of heat. For example, an ablating energy would be one that would cause the tissue to reach a temperature of at least about 80-90°C. Hyperthermia is defined as a temperature above normal body temperature (37°C), but usually less than the temperature necessary to cause tissue coagulation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1. A schematic ofthe laboratory arrangement necessary to perform the methods of intramyocardial catheter ablation.

FIG. 2. A schematic drawing ofthe distal portion ofthe catheter, with the tip positioned against the ventricular endocardium during mapping, prior to advancement of the fiberoptic diffusion tip and delivery of laser light. FIG. 3. The catheter of FIG. 2 in the irradiating position, with the penetrating optical fiber tip extended into the myocardium. A circumferential doughnut-shaped balloon has been inflated to help prevent further advancement of the entire catheter system and perforation ofthe ventricle.

FIG. 4. Schematically depicts the diffusing optical tip and intramyocardial light distribution. The end ofthe fiber may be coated with or coupled to an optical element to deflect or reflect light so that no light is emitted in the forward direction relative to the tip to prevent perforation and/or damage to the epicardial coronary arteries or pericardium.

FIG. 5. A flow diagram of a typical method of use of the present invention.

FIG. 6A. Bar graphs showing resulting area at risk in the left ventricle in heat treated rats (hashed bar) and controls (solid bar) after 30 minutes of regional ischemia and 2 hours of reperfusion. No difference is seen in area at risk as a percentage of left ventricle in either group.

FIG. 6B. Bar graphs showing resulting infarct sizes in heat treated rats (hashed bar) and controls (solid bar) after 30 minutes of regional ischemia and 2 hours of reperfusion. Compared to controls, heat treated rats demonstrated a significant (p<.005) reduction in infarct size expressed as a percentage of area at risk.

FIG. 7. Bar graphs showing gel densitometric analysis of immunoblots indicating levels of HSP70 expression, from right and left ventricular samples of four groups of rats, from left to right, no surgery, open chest (Cl), cold probe (C2) and heat probe (H). Hatched bars are right ventricle and solid bars are left ventricle. Values are fold difference compared to "no surgery" controls. Local heat application increased heat shock protein 70 expression in both right (non-treated) and left (treated) ventricles when compared with either control. HSP elevations were higher in heated regions (LV) compared to non-heated (RV) in (H) group animals while no significant difference was observed between LV and RV samples from controls.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In preferred embodiments, the present invention comprises a catheter capable of both sensing myocardial electrical activity and delivering laser light or other types of energy within myocardial tissue. The distal catheter comprises an outer sheath whereon electrodes are positioned and through which a movable fiber optic cable or other energy delivering device can be percutaneously advanced beyond the sheath and into the myocardium for intramyocardial heating and/or photocoagulation, or modification of tissues responsible for cardiac arrhythmias. Additional mapping data may be obtained by inserting electrodes along a probe into the myocardium, prior to exchanging the mapping probe for the ablating tip. The tip used for intramyocardial heating may be further designed to diffuse photons or other energy laterally, thereby heating larger volumes of tissue than is possible with current endocardial treatments. The tip is designed so that it does not allow forward irradiation, and thus prevents full-thickness ablation and perforation. The overall design ofthe invention is intended for percutaneous treatment of cardiac arrhythmias such as ventricular tachycardias, although the diffusing tip may also be used mtraoperatively. Although treatment of ventricular tachycardia is the most preferred embodiment of treating arrhythmias, treatment of other arrhythmias may be accomplished with few or no modifications ofthe disclosed apparatus and methods. In addition, the treatment of ischemic heart conditions by hyperthermic induction of angiogenesis may be accomplished by the apparatus and methods ofthe present invention. It is understood and shown herein that local heating of heart tissue induces heat shock proteins that are cardioprotective in ischemia/reperfusion and the induction of heat shock proteins in heart tissue as described herein is an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention in use in a human patient 20. In this embodiment, an external laser source 10, is connected to the distal end 24 of a catheter 22 by a conductor 18 passing through the lumen 44 ofthe catheter 22 (See also FIG. 2). Also passing through the lumen 44 ofthe catheter 22 is a conductor 14, connected to a physiological recorder 12, and/or a stimulator 12. Alternatively, the conductor 14 may be incorporated into the sheath 36 ofthe outer catheter 22. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the catheter 22, is inserted into a femoral artery (or vein), advanced into a chamber ofthe heart 16, and is placed in contact with the endocardium.

The distal portion of a catheter 22 is shown in FIG. 2. The distal end 24 of the catheter 22 is shown in position against the ventricular endocardium 30 as used during mapping, prior to advancement ofthe fiberoptic diffusion tip 42 into the interstitial tissue 32 and delivery of laser light into the arrhythmic zone 34. Attached to the catheter sheath 36, is a series of electrodes 38 that may be used for mapping, including one pair 39 positioned at the distal end 24 ofthe catheter 22. The pair of mapping electrodes 39 positioned at the distal end 24 sense electrical activity, and this information is used to find the arrhythmogenic focus 34 (i.e. the myocardial site giving rise to the arrhythmia). These electrodes 39 at the distal end 24 of the catheter 22 may also be used to pace the heart when pacing techniques are used to assist with mapping. A pair of proximal electrodes 38 positioned along the catheter sheath 36 may then be used to sense endocardial activity during pacing from the distal pair 39.

Also shown is an inflatable, circular balloon 40 in the deflated state, ringing the outer surface of the distal end 24 of the catheter 22. The ablating probe tip 42 is retracted entirely within the lumen 44 ofthe catheter 22, in the unextended position. FIG 3 is a schematic drawing of the catheter 22 in irradiating position. The ablating probe tip 42, is extended beyond the distal end 24 ofthe catheter 22 and placed intramyocardially for deep tissue coagulation of the arrhythmic zone 34. The stabilizing balloon 40, is shown in the inflated state which inhibits movement ofthe catheter tip 42 with respect to the heart tissue, and which helps prevent unwanted perforation ofthe heart tissue by the catheter tip 42. Ablating energy 46 is shown being delivered into the arrhythmic zone 34. FIG. 4 depicts the ablating probe tip 42, in side view and end view. The tip 42 extends from the endocardial wall 30, into the myocardium 32, and radially diffuses the ablating laser energy 46.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a typical method of use ofthe present invention, preferably in a human patient. The patient is sedated and instrumented in the standard fashion known to those of skill in the art 52. The catheter system is inserted into a major artery or vein and introduced into the selected heart chamber 54. In a preferred method of treating a ventricular tachycardia the catheter is inserted through the femoral artery. If the arrhythmia to be ablated is not ongoing, it is induced using standard pacing techniques known to those of skill in the art 56. The arrhythmic focus may be mapped 58 by percutaneously flexing the distal end 24 ofthe catheter 22 so that it contacts multiple endocardial sites, and observing electrical responses transmitted from the mapping electrodes connected to a physiological recorder. The distal end 24 ofthe catheter 22 is then positioned 60 at the endocardial surface 30 adjacent the arrhythmic zone.

When the distal end 24 ofthe catheter 22 is in the desired position, the tip 42 which may have a pointed end, for example, or may have a flat end, is extended past the catheter sheath 36 a predetermined distance, puncturing the endocardium 30 and extending 62 into the myocardial tissue 32. When the tip 42 is in position, the stabilizing device 40 is activated 64 to prevent perforation. Once in the irradiating position, the entire length ofthe diffusing component ofthe tip 42 is embedded below the endocardial surface 30 to avoid irradiating the endocardial surface 30 and the blood pool, thereby helping to prevent endocardial charring and coagulum formation. In certain preferred embodiments, the stabilizing device 40 comprises a balloon which may be inflated or deflated by percutaneously manipulating a handle at the catheter's 22 proximal end.

A predetermined amount of ablating energy 46 is then delivered 66 radially from the tip 42 into the myocardium 32. After delivery of ablation energy 46, an attempt is made to re-stimulate an arrhythmia 68. If needed, further ablating energy 46 is delivered. When no further treatment is necessary or desired, the apparatus is removed from the patient 70 and the procedure is complete 72.

The following examples are included to demonstrate preferred embodiments ofthe invention. It should be appreciated by those of skill in the art that the techniques disclosed in the examples which follow represent techniques discovered in connection with the invention to function well in the practice ofthe invention, and thus can be considered to constitute preferred modes for its practice. However, those of skill in the art should, in light of the present disclosure, appreciate that many changes may be made in the specific embodiments which are disclosed and still obtain a like or similar result without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention.

EXAMPLE 1 Ablation of Cardiac Tissue in Dogs

For preliminary data, three anesthetized mongrel dogs were used to place 23 intramyocardial lesions from the epicardial surface ofthe left ventricle (4-12 lesions per dog). The tip ofthe optical fiber was extended for 8 mm into the myocardium. Three to six Watts of laser energy (805 nm) were administered for 30-120 seconds. The dogs were euthanized and the cardiac tissue was examined. Lesions were from 5.3 to 10.5 mm wide and 7.7 to 12.6 mm deep. No tissue vaporization or marked charring was evident. These studies demonstrate that large but controlled lesions can be made with intramyocardial laser irradiation using the methods and apparatus ofthe present invention.

EXAMPLE 2

Laser Ablation Treatment of Ventricular Tachycardia in a Human Patient

In a preferred method of practicing the present invention, percutaneous ablation to treat a ventricular tachycardia in a human patient may proceed as follows: The patient, in the electrophysiology laboratory is sedated, instrumented and, with fluoroscopic guidance, the catheter (7 or 8 French) is guided to the heart through a large artery (FIG. 1), preferably through a femoral artery. Programmed stimulation

(a standard technique known to those of skill in the art) induces the ventricular or supraventricular tachycardia and the operator "maps" its electrical activation sequence. Mapping is performed during sustained and hemodynamically stable ventricular tachycardia by percutaneously flexing the distal end 24 ofthe catheter 22 so that it contacts multiple endocardial sites. By sensing the electrical activity at various sites, the arrhythmic focus, or site of origin ofthe arrhythmia 34 is located.

During the mapping procedure the optical fiber tip 42 is retracted inside the catheter sheath 36 and the distal electrode pair 39 is placed in contact with the endocardium 30 (FIG. 2). The catheter 22 is steered percutaneously by flexing a handle attached to the proximal end ofthe catheter 22. A number of such handles are commercially available, with a preferred handle being manufactured by Cordis Webster, Inc. 4750 Littlejohn St., Baldwin Park, CA, 91706. When the area of myocardium to be photocoagulated is located, the fiberoptic tip 42 (200-600 micron diameter) (Rare Earth, Dennis, MA or PDT Systems, Goleta, CA) is extended 3 to 5 mm from the distal end 24 ofthe mapping catheter 22, penetrating the endocardium 30 and extending into the target tissue 32 for deep tissue irradiation (FIG. 3). To prevent myocardial perforation, light does not exit from the distal end ofthe tip 42, but diffuses laterally into a broad area of myocardium (FIG. 4). It is also an aspect of the invention that the energy diffusing tip 42 is completely inserted into the interstitial tissue 32 so that ablating energy is not applied directly to the endocardial surface 30. As a consequence of this procedure the endocardial surface 30 is not charred and is disrupted only by the small puncture site; this is in contrast to the outcome of current treatments using RF and laser energy sources applied to the endocardial surface 30.

Once the tip 42 is in the irradiating position, a small balloon 40 encircling the distal end 24 of the catheter 22 is inflated to stabilize the catheter 22 and help prevent perforation ofthe heart tissue. Laser energy of 400 to 3,000 nm wavelength is then conducted from the source 10 to the tip 42 and dispersed radially by the tip for 30-

120 seconds depending on the wavelength used and the size of lesion necessary to ablate the arrhythmic focus. After the delivery of laser energy, an attempt may be made to re-stimulate the arrhythmia. If the arrhythmia cannot be re-stimulated, the treatment ends and the catheter 22 is removed from the patient. If an arrhythmia is stimulated, then the physician may choose to map the arrhythmia and repeat the procedure.

The present invention may be applied in a similar fashion during arrhythmia surgery to ablate or modify arrhythmogenic myocardium, except the ablation proceeds during direct visualization of the heart. This approach may eliminate certain limitations associated with intraoperative cryoablation. EXAMPLE 3 Treatment to Induce Angiogenesis

In addition to modifying conduction pathways ofthe heart for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias, energy delivery using the device disclosed herein has potential to increase myocardial perfusion in patients with coronary insufficiency. In previous attempts to address this problem, transmyocardial channels 1 mm in diameter have been produced using the high-power (800 Watt) CO₂ laser. It has been proposed that these channels convey oxygen rich blood directly to ischemic tissue. Preclinical and clinical results are promising, and the Food and Drug Administration has recently approved a Phase II trial.

However, the theory of revascularization mentioned in the previous paragraph has been challenged by pathological studies showing that laser-induced transmyocardial channels do not remain patent. Alternate theories propose that the improvement seen after this procedure is not due to direct myocardial revascularization, but results from secondary changes which occur during healing, in response to the transient rise in temperature (hyperthermia). There is evidence that hyperthermia provides a transient protective mechanism in the heart. During exposure to laser light, heat shock protein and free radical production may stimulate angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels) and improve tissue perfusion. Because the device disclosed herein is capable of intramyocardial heating, it is contemplated to be more effective in promoting angiogenesis than one which irradiates only the heart's surface. In addition, as a part ofthe present invention, one may induce local hyperthermia in the heart using a variety of methods and/or instruments.

An example ofthe benefits of local induction of hyperthermia in a rat model of ischemia/reperfusion is presented here. In this example, the possible extracardiac effects have been eliminated by demonstrating the ability to locally induce hyperthermia and expression of HSPs and subsequently provide protection against 30 minutes of ischemia and 120 minutes of reperfusion in the in-vivo rat model. Densitometric analysis of western blots confirmed elevated levels of HSP70 in rat hearts treated with a thermal probe. There was a 9.6 and 5.4 fold increase in HSP70 expression in left and right ventricular samples, respectively, from hearts treated with local heating over untreated controls. Rats were allowed to recover for 4 hours after heat treatment to allow sufficient time for production of HSPs (Currie and White, 1983).

METHODS

Thermal Probe

In order to produce regional elevation of HSP70 in the heart a thermal probe was constructed. The probe consisted of a 6 cm long stainless steel tube (diameter=4.0 mm) with a highly conductive synthetic diamond window (surface area=12.5 mm²) at the distal end and connections for circulation of water through the probe at the proximal end. Heated water from a temperature-controlled water bath was circulated through the probe to maintain the temperature between 42.5-43.5°C at the tip ofthe probe. Localized hyperthermia was achieved by conductive heating from the thermal probe placed directly on the epicardial surface ofthe heart.

Experimental Protocol

35 male Sprague-Dawley rats (weight 300-350g) were entered into the study. The rats were divided into 3 experimental groups with protocol end points of either HSP analysis or infarct size assessment. All rats were anesthetized with Ketamine

(lOOmg/kg) and Xylazine (40mg/kg) given IP, intubated, and mechanically ventilated with 1-2% Halothane. A left thoracotomy was performed through the fifth intercostal space to expose the epicardial surface of the left ventricle. Heat-group animals (H; n= 14) were treated with local applications of heat at two adjacent sites on the anterior left ventricle wall for 15 minutes each. Throughout these experiments the probe temperature was maintained in the range of 42.5-43.5°C. In sham operated control animals (Cl; n= 13) there was no intervention, but the chest was left open for

30 minutes. An additional control group (C2; n = 6) was subjected to two local applications ofthe thermal probe at 37°C (body temp) for 15 minutes each to control for any HSP70 expression mechanically induced by application of the thermal probe. The thoracotomy was closed and air was evacuated from the chest using a 20 gauge IV catheter connected to a 5 ml syringe. The rats were allowed to recover and returned to their cages. Four hours later the rats were reanesthetized and randomized to undergo either (1) 30 min. regional ischemia and 120 min. reperfusion or (2) analysis of HSP70 expression. All studies were approved and conducted within the guidelines ofthe animal care and use committee at the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX.

Ischemia/Reperfusion Protocol

A total of 19 rats (H = 9, Cl= 10) were enrolled in the I/R protocol. Animals were mechanically ventilated as above and a midline sternotomy was performed exposing the entire heart. The left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery was isolated at about 1 cm from its origin. Using a RB-2 taper needle, a 6.0 polypropylene stitch suture was passed beneath the artery and placed within a reversible snare occluder. The snare was tightened closing the artery and rendering a portion ofthe left ventricle ischemic. Occlusion ofthe artery was confirmed by an increase in the amplitude of the ECG as well as cyanosis of the area at risk. At 30 minutes the snare was loosened and the artery reperfused. After 120 minutes of reperfusion the animal was sacrificed and its heart excised. The aorta was cannulated and the heart was briefly perfused retrogradly with saline to wash away excess blood. The stitch suture surrounding the coronary artery was then retied and 0.8- 1.0ml of phthalocyanine blue dye was injected and allowed to perfuse the non-ischemic portions of the heart. The heart was then sliced transversely into cross sections of 2- mm thickness. Samples were photographed for measurement of area at risk (area not stained by blue dye) and then incubated in triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) for 8 minutes at 37°C to delineate infarcted from normal tissue (Vivaldi et al. 1985). Samples were fixed in 10% buffered formalin solution for 24 hours and rephotographed for measurement of infarct area (area not stained by TTC). Pictures were projected and planimetry was used to determine the area of risk expressed as a percent of left ventricle and the infarct size expressed as a percent of area of risk.

Heat-shock Protein Analysis A total of 16 rats (H= 6, C 1 = 4, C2 = 6) were used for analysis of HSP70 expression. After four hours recovery, hearts from treated and untreated rats were excised, divided along the intraventricular septum into right and left ventricle, snap frozen, and stored at -80°C. Additionally, one heart from a control animal with no prior surgery was used to determine baseline HSP70 content.

Western blot analysis was used to determine HSP70 content in all myocardial samples. Tissues were weighed and diced into small slices with a razor blade. The slices were thawed in 3 ml/mg cold lysis buffer (1% Nonidet P-40, 0.5% sodium deoxycholate, 0.1% SDS, 100 μg/ml phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride, 100 μg/ml Aprotinin, 1 mmol/L sodium orthovanadate in PBS). Tissues were homogenized with a Polytron Homogenizer (Kinematica AG, Littau, Switzerland) and stored on ice for 30 minutes. Following centrifugation at 15000 x g for 20 minutes at 4°C the supernatant was removed and centrifuged again. Protein concentration ofthe total cell lysate was determined with a Bradford Assay solution (Bio Rad). Equal amounts of cellular proteins (2μg) were resolved by electrophoresis on a 0.1% SDS, 12% polyacrylamide gel (SDS-PAGE) under denaturing conditions. The proteins were transferred electrophoretically to a nitrocellulose membrane (Hybond, Amersham Corp). After blocking in lOmM tris HCL (pH=8.0), 150 mmol/L sodium chloride and 5% (w/v) nonfat dry milk, the membranes were treated with primary antibody which recognizes the constitutive HSC70 and the inducible HSP70, for 90 minutes followed by incubation with peroxidase-conjugated secondary antibody for 45 minutes. The immune complexes were detected using a chemoluminescence reagent kit (Amersham Co., Arlington Heights, IL).

Statistics All values are expressed as mean ± SEM. Comparisons between heat-treated and control animals were assessed by the unpaired t test. Statistical significance was defined as p<0.05.

RESULTS The thermal probe was successfully applied to the left ventricle of heat treated animals at two adjacent sites for 15 minutes each. There was no evidence of thermal injury to the epicardial surface ofthe heart after application ofthe probe. Additionally, no complications resulted from application ofthe thermal probe to the surface ofthe heart. All animals recovered successfully from the first surgical procedure and were awake within 20 minutes after closure ofthe thoracotomy. One

(H) group animal was excluded from the infarct analysis due to damage to the coronary artery during the I/R protocol preventing adequate reperfusion. Two (Cl) animals died before completion ofthe infarct analysis protocol during reperfusion and were excluded from further analysis.

Infarct Size Analysis

Table 1. summarizes the results from animals that underwent the infarct analysis protocol. There was no significant difference in the area at risk (expressed as a percent of left ventricular area) as a result of LAD coronary occlusion in (H) group and (Cl) group animals (49.5 ± 5.4% vs 51.5 ± 3.5%; mean ± SEM)(FIG 6A). However, rats treated with two local applications of heat using the conductive thermal probe demonstrated a marked decrease in infarct size. Localized heat stress resulted in a significant (p<.005) limitation of infarct size expressed as a percentage of area at risk in heat treated animals vs controls (4.26 ± .85 vs 19.2 ± 3.4%)(FIG. 6B).

Table 1. Infarct sizes of heat-treated and control rats after 30 minutes of ischemia and

120 minutes of reperfusion.

Group AR/LV (%) IA/AR (%)

Heat Group (H; n=8) 49.5 ± 5.4 4.26 + 0.85*

Control Group (Cl; n=8) 51.5 ± 3.5 19.2 ± 3.4

* (p< 005 vs control (Cl))

AR/LV (%) - Area at risk as a percentage of left ventricular area

IA/AR (%) - Infarct area as a percentage of area at risk Group (H) - Two local applications of heat (42.5-43.5°C) for 15 minutes

Control (Cl) - Sham operated control (30 minutes open chest) HSP70 Analysis

Western Blot analysis confirmed elevation of HSP70 in rats treated with the thermal probe in both right and left ventricular samples. There was not an appreciable difference noticed in the expression of HSP70 in either control group (Cl or C2). Gel densitometric analysis of immunoblots showed a marked difference in the expression of HSP70 between heat-treated animals and controls. There was a 5.4 and 9.6 fold difference in right and left ventricular samples respectively between heat treated animals and a control animal that had no prior surgery. Both control groups showed only a small increase in HSP70 expression when compared to the same control animal with no prior surgery (1.5 fold increase) (FIG. 7).

EXAMPLE 4 Laser-Induced Myocardial Remodeling

Following a myocardial infarction, global left ventricular function may be adversely influenced by the regional changes which occur over time with healing and scar formation. Medical intervention has been shown to favorably alter this "remodeling" process, and reduce the degree of global left ventricular dysfunction which might otherwise occur. It is contemplated that the present device may be used to either introduce deep, controlled scarring, or to induce angiogenesis (See Example 3) and may also favorably alter the course of post-infarction remodeling.

EXAMPLE 5 Intramyocardial Electrograms

An embodiment of the present invention is the use ofthe apparatus described herein for intramyocardial mapping, i.e. recording electrical activity below the endocardial surface, where electrical circuits known to cause ventricular tachycardia often arise. Intramyocardial unipolar electrograms show not only the time of onset of an electrogram, but also whether the initial activation was traveling towards or away from the intramyocardial electrode. This information increases the accuracy of mapping and minimizes the myocardial damage necessary to ablate the arrhythmia.

The present invention provides the added advantage that this mapping is done percutaneously.

In the practice of the present example, intramyocardial electrograms are obtained prior to ablation by advancing a wire with electrodes at its distal end down the central lumen ofthe outer catheter. When the outer catheter is in the desired position, the wire with its electrodes is advanced into the tissue for recording ofthe signals. Once this information has been obtained, the wire is removed and exchanged for the diffusion tipped laser fiber optic, which is placed intramyocardially in the same position. Following tissue heating, the wire is readvanced to record changes in the electrograms ofthe heated tissue.

Intramyocardial mapping allows correlation of tissue characteristics (as reflected in the timing, duration, amplitude, direction and frequency analysis of an electrogram) with the success of an ablation attempt. Comparing the electrograms in an area before and after heating may help distinguish between sublethal damage and totally coagulated tissue. Inferences may also be made on the basis ofthe information so obtained about the tissue characteristics (e.g., viable, nonviable, partly viable with slow conduction). This information may in turn be correlated with the optical properties ofthe tissue in order to adjust the dose of laser delivered. For example, an electrogram that is very fractionated and of low amplitude would suggest that the intramyocardial probe is near or within an infarcted area, where there is collagenous tissue (which lacks color and may be less absorptive to some laser wavelengths). The laser is then be adjusted according to dosimetries previously determined as most appropriate for that tissue type.

While the apparatus and methods of this invention have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that variations may be applied to the apparatus and methods described herein without departing from the concept, spirit and scope ofthe invention. All such variations and modifications apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and concept ofthe invention as defined by the appended claims.

REFERENCES

The following references, to the extent that they provide exemplary procedural or other details supplementary to those set forth herein, are specifically incorporated herein by reference.

Currie, R.W. and White, F.P., Characterization ofthe synthesis and accumulation of a 71-kilodalton protein induced in rat tissues after hyperthermia. Can. J. Biochem. Cell Biol 1983; 61 :438-446.

Currie, R.W., Karmazyn, M., Malgorzata, K., and Mailer, K., Heat-Shock response is associated with enhanced postischemic ventricular recovery. Circulation Research, 1988; 63:543-549.

Currie, R.W., Tanguay, R.M., and Kingma, J.G., Heat-Shock response and limitation of tissue necrosis during occlusion/reperfusion in rabbit hearts. Circulation, 1993; 87:963-971.

Donnelly, T.J., Sievers, R.E., Vissern, F.L.J., Welch, W.J., and Wolfe, C.L., Heat shock protein induction in rat hearts. A role for improved myocardial salvage after ischemia and reperfusion? Circulation, 1992; 85:769-778.

Hutter, M.M., Sievers, R.E., Barbosa, V.B., and Wolfe, C.L., Heat-shock protein induction in rat hearts. A direct correlation between the amount of heat-shock protein induced and the degree of myocardial protection. Circulation, 1994; 89:355-360.

Vivaldi, M.T., Kloner, R.A., and Schoen, F.J., Triphenyltetrazolium staining of irreversible ischemic injury following coronary artery occlusion in rats. Am JPath, 1985; 121:522-530.

Walker, D.M., Pasini, E., Kucukoglu, S., Marber, M.S., Iliodromitis, E., Ferrari, R., and Yellon, D.M., Heat stress limits infarct size in the isolated perfused rabbit heart. Cardiovascular Research, 1993; 27:962-967.

Yellon, D.M., Pasini, E., Cargnoni, A., Marber, M.S., Latchman, D.S., and Ferrari, R., The protective role of heat stress in the ischemic and reperfused rabbit myocardium. J Mol Cell Cardiol, 1992; 24:895-908.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. Apparatus for ablation of cardiac tissue comprising:

a catheter adapted to access the cardiovascular system, said catheter having a distal end and a proximal end; and

a conductor extending along and within said catheter for transmitting energy to said distal end of said catheter, said conductor having a distal end which is extensible beyond the distal end ofthe catheter and also retractable within the catheter, said distal end ofthe conductor configured to penetrate cardiac tissue and to direct energy from and radially and axially relative to the conductor when the conductor is extended beyond the distal end ofthe catheter.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one or more electrode pairs positioned proximate said distal end of said catheter.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein one of said electrode pairs is positioned on the distal end ofthe catheter.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein an electrode is positioned on a retractable probe slidably disposed in the catheter and extendible beyond the end of said catheter for sensing of intramural electrical activity.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a physiological recorder switchably connected to at least one of said electrode pairs operable to map local cardiac electrical activity.

6. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising an electrical stimulating device switchably connected to at least one of said electrode pairs operable to pace the heart.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a stabilizer positioned on an outer surface ofthe catheter to stabilize the catheter within a body organ.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said stabilizer comprises an inflatable balloon positioned at the exterior of said distal end of said catheter and operable to expand radially relative to the catheter.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the conductor comprises an electrical conductor.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the conductor comprises an optical wave guide and the energy is laser energy.

11. A maneuverable catheter for ablation of cardiac tissue, said catheter comprising a retractable tip, wherein said tip is extendible into the myocardium for lateral diffusion of ablating energy into myocardial tissue.

12. The maneuverable catheter of claim 11, wherein said ablating energy is selected from the group consisting of laser, radiofrequency and hot water.

13. The maneuverable catheter of claim 12, wherein said ablating energy is from 400 to 3,000 nm wavelength laser.

14. A method of treating cardiac arrhythmia comprising the steps of:

(a) positioning the distal end ofthe apparatus of claim 1 proximate the endocardium;

(b) identifying the tissue involved in the arrhythmia;

(c) extending the distal end ofthe conductor into the tissue; and

(d) transmitting ablating energy through the conductor into the tissue.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the conductor comprises a wave guide and the ablating energy comprises laser energy.

16. A method for myocardial ablation for treatment of cardiac arrhythmias, comprising: providing a catheter comprising mapping electrodes, stimulating electrodes, and a stabilizer, the catheter being insertable into the heart of a patient and a distal end ofthe catheter being maneuverable from external to the patient;

providing an optical fiber slidably disposed within the catheter, a distal end of the optical fiber comprising an ablation probe that is extensible beyond the distal end of the catheter and adapted for penetrating myocardial and endocardial tissue, the ablation probe being diffusive so as to deliver laser energy substantially radially into the tissue in which the probe is positioned;

providing electronic stimulating and mapping instruments coupled to the mapping electrodes and to the stimulating electrodes, and providing a laser energy source coupled to the proximal end ofthe optical fiber;

introducing the catheter into the body of a patient and guiding the catheter into the heart ofthe patient;

stimulating the heart into an arrhythmic condition using said stimulating electrodes;

mapping electrical signals produced by the heart and locating an arrhythmic site for ablation;

placing the distal end ofthe catheter proximate the arrhythmic site;

activating the stabilizer;

advancing the optical fiber through the catheter, thus penetrating the ablation probe through the endocardium and into myocardial tissue at the arrhythmic site; ablating tissue at the arrhythmic site by introducing a desired amount of laser energy into a proximal end ofthe optical fiber, conducting the laser energy through the optical fiber to the ablation probe, and directing sufficient laser energy into the myocardial tissue at the arrhythmic site to ablate the tissue; and

deactivating the stabilizer and removing the catheter and optical fiber from the body ofthe patient.

17. The method of claim 16, further defined as providing an electrode probe slideably disposed within the catheter that is extensible beyond the distal end ofthe catheter and designed to penetrate myocardial tissue.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising attempting to stimulate the heart into an arrhythmic condition using said stimulating electrodes after the ablating step and before removing the catheter from the body.

19. A method for myocardial ablation for treatment of cardiac arrhythmias, comprising:

providing a catheter comprising mapping electrodes and stimulating electrodes, the catheter being insertable into a heart of a patient and a distal end ofthe catheter being maneuverable from external to the patient;

providing an energy conductor slidably disposed within the catheter, a distal end ofthe energy conductor comprising an ablation probe that is extensible beyond the distal end ofthe catheter and adapted for penetrating endocardial and myocardial tissue;

providing electronic stimulating and mapping instruments coupled to the mapping electrodes and to the stimulating electrodes, and providing an ablating energy source coupled to the proximal end ofthe energy conductor;

placing the distal end ofthe catheter proximate the arrhythmic site;

advancing the energy conductor through the catheter, thus penetrating the ablation probe through the endocardium and into the myocardium at the arrhythmic site;

ablating tissue at the arrhythmic site by introducing a desired amount of energy into a proximal end of the energy conductor, conducting the energy through the energy conductor to the ablation probe, and directing sufficient energy into the myocardium at the arrhythmic site to ablate the tissue; and

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising attempting to stimulate the heart into an arrhythmic condition using said stimulating electrodes after the ablating step and before removing the catheter from the body.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the energy source is a laser source, and the energy conductor comprises an optical fiber.

22. The method of claim 17, wherein the energy source is a radio frequency (RF) source, and the energy conductor comprises a conductive wire.

23. A method of inducing angiogenesis comprising the steps of:

(b) identifying an area of ischemic tissue;

(c) extending the distal end ofthe conductor into the tissue; and

(d) transmitting energy through the conductor into the tissue to create hyperthermia in said tissue.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the conductor comprises a wave guide and the ablating energy comprises laser energy.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein said tissue reaches a temperature of at least about 40°C.

26. The method of claim 23 wherein said energy is conductive energy.

27. A method of inhibiting tissue damage due to ischemia comprising providing radiative or conductive energy to said tissue in an amount effective to induce local hyperthermia.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein said tissue is heart tissue and said energy is applied to the endocardial surface, the epicardial surface or interstitial area of said heart.

29. A method of endocardial mapping of cardiac rhythm comprising:

providing an apparatus comprising a catheter adapted to access the cardiovascular system, said catheter having a distal end and a proximal end and an electrode positioned on a retractable probe slidably disposed in the catheter and extendible beyond the end of said catheter and capable of penetrating endocardium and myocardial tissue and said electrode being connected to a means for sensing intramural electrical activity; inserting said catheter into a patient;

extending the distal end of said catheter into the heart of said patient;

extending the retractable probe into the myocardium; and

detecting an electrogram from the electrode.